for much of my life i was a jfk democrat. the turn began some time around my discovery of the 911 lie. now i'm not eligible for a label. most put me somewhere libertarian what ever that really is so this essay by someone whose name i don't know makes a pile of great points. the bits about the intransigent libs who are in reality matched by intransigent 'extreme right wingers', i have seen from both sides. it hurts to id yourself with ideologies. sometimes anarchy makes a lot of sense;

As a lifelong Democrat, this decision was not rooted in ideology, but instead born of personal frustration with America’s broken systems – financial, judicial, and political.

My story is not just my own but a reflection of the shared struggles of countless Americans, in almost every economic class, who feel left behind and betrayed by a corrupted system now designed to serve the few at the expense of the many.

The initial catalyst for my frustration came during the 2008 financial crisis, a crucible that revealed the staggering flaws of America’s financial infrastructure. Lehman Brothers’ collapse wasn’t just a headline for me – it struck home. My family’s savings were tied to complex and opaque financial instruments I didn’t fully understand, sold to me by institutions that prioritized profit over transparency. When Lehman declared bankruptcy, my portfolio was wiped out. Overnight, our family’s financial security evaporated, and I was forced to confront the harsh realities of a system rigged against most Americans.

But the financial system wasn’t the only institution that failed me. My trust in the judicial system was similarly shattered. First, the law of the land failed to punish any of those responsible for the great financial crisis. This was followed by a high-stakes legal battle of my own with my former employer. That fight revealed a labyrinthine system that seemed more designed to exhaust and entrap honest litigants than to deliver justice. Despite having a strong case and compelling evidence as the plaintiff, I found myself mired in five years of procedural delays, a strategic bankruptcy by the opposing side, and exorbitant legal costs. The experience was as emotionally scarring as it was financially ruinous and came close to destroying my marriage.

My disillusionment didn’t stop there. America’s current political system, too, exposed itself. As someone who worked extensively in the U.S.-China relationship, I tried to share my firsthand experiences and insights to all audiences through a book I authored and the media appearances that followed. I hoped to encourage constructive dialogue on America’s position in an increasingly competitive world. Instead, I faced a harsh backlash that highlighted the destructive tribalism entrenched in today’s politics.

As a lifelong Democrat, it was distressing to be told “Lose my f-ing number” by longtime progressive friends, simply because I appeared with hosts like Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Steve Bannon, Charlie Kirk, Clay Travis, or Maria Bartiromo. Similar vitriolic responses will certainly result again when this piece publishes.......more.......